Finding Effective Treatment For ADHD - What Does It Actually Entail And Is It Safe?

Updated on September 20, 2011

When it comes to the treatment for adhd there are a number of people who feel that the drugs and medications prescribed to combat the symptoms of the disorder pose way too much risk to be seriously considered. Others are of the opinion that they are certainly worthwhile considering and when taken properly and with adult supervision they are effective and very beneficial. Still others prefer a more homeopathic approach. The truth is that each of these viewpoints has its value and this is why each need to be considered by any parent whose child has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The majority of experts agree that the best and most effective way to treat ADHD is to treat the core symptoms that are associated with the disorder as well as additional issues that might arise. Once the diagnosis has been made the specialist will then set up a treatment plan and this is when parents need to discuss their concerns and preferences with their child's doctor. As far as treatment for adhd is concerned this usually involves a combination approach involving medication and therapy. It is important to realize that each treatment plan should be based on individual criteria and suited to the needs and requirements of each individual patient.

Assuming the parent is willing to leave the decision regarding treatment up to the specialist they will then liaise with the child's pediatrician and together they will review the way the treatment is progressing. At the same time the specialist will also insist on follow-up visits to make sure that the treatment program is working as well as to address whatever concerns might be raised either by you or the child's doctor.

While having your child diagnosed for ADHD might be somewhat distressing it is vital to know that there are more treatment options available these days than ever before or than many parents even realize. Although Ritalin and other stimulant drugs are usually the most routinely prescribed ways of dealing with ADHD symptoms there are treatments that do not involve drugs and yet have a good and proven track record.

A new approach in treating ADHD that is gaining in popularity especially in other countries such as Great Britain and involves training the parents in order to benefit the child who has been diagnosed with the disorder. In fact providing parents with the skills necessary for helping their children has been used for a number of years in order to help to improve the behavior of children. A number of clinical trials have been conducted and these have actually validated the effectiveness of this approach. It might seem strange to think about changing the behavior of parents in order to treat the behavior of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder it is necessary to understand that the research conducted actually proves that children with this disorder benefit when their parents are given effective parenting techniques that can they can utilize in parenting their ADHD children.

Parent training has been so successful in fact when it comes to treatment for adhd that the British government has actually mandated it as the first option for treatment in a great many instances. If the ADHD is mild behavioral therapy is recommended and the parents of children who have been diagnosed with ADHD are actually provided with government-funded classes that are free of charge where they can learn how to incorporate the skills they are learning to benefit their children.

Treatment for ADHD does not have to involve the taking of potentially dangerous medications with known serious side-effects. There are alternative treatments and therapies that every parent deserves to know about. When you take the time to delve deeper into the treatment options available it soon becomes apparent that your ADHD child can find effective treatment for the symptoms of the disorder without the help of drugs. Parents need to be aware of the choices that are available to them in this regard and need to be unwilling to be pressurized into medicating their child.

Comments 1 comment

Thank you for publishing this hub. My son was diagnosed ADHD when he was seven years old, and prior to that my life had been full of questions of "what if, and am I" I am afraid that there are no fast or quick fix answers to this dilemma. However, I did learn to have a brilliant relationship with my son and so did his tutors at school, because we were determined to make the best of his ability. I am so pleased to say that all our hard work paid off and my son has grown into a wonderful, bright and loving human being. Patience and trying to understand is far more effective than taking drugs, although we did try those too.